German churches target Berlin's secret defense ties with Israel
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, February 18, 2002
LONDON Ñ Germany is under pressure to end its extended, albeit
secret, defense relationship with Israel.
The government in Berlin has been inundated by complaints from churches
and human rights groups that Germany is helping Israel in its war with the
Palestinians. Germany both exports and imports defense systems from Israel
amid a German law that bans the export of weapons to regions in crisis.
The protests have prompted a decision by Germany's parliament to discuss
Berlin's defense relationship with Israel, Middle East Newsline reported. Parliamentarians said the
discussion could include the first details of Germany's exports to the
Jewish state and their use.
"We are always asked on every occasion as to how much weapons are we are
delivering to Israel," Christof Musbauer, a parliamentarian from the ruling
Social Democratic Party, said.
Israel is the seventh largest importer of German weapons. In a
government report released in November, Israel was said to have imported 177
million euros in 2000. The imports consisted of the Dolphin-class submarines
and spare parts for tanks.
The government has so far rejected calls for an arms embargo on Israel.
Officials said Berlin maintains a commitment to the security interests of
Israel.
Last week, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Sparwasser cited what she
termed "the legitimate security interests of the state of Israel" as well as
the "special responsibility" of Germany towards Israel.
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